Updated: January 2, 2026

The selection of Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi left-arm fast-medium bowler, by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has ignited a storm of political and religious controversy in India. The inclusion of Rahman, a player from Bangladesh, in an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise has drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders and certain Hindu spiritual figures, while Congress leaders and other spiritual authorities have come out in defense of the actor, denouncing the backlash as a threat to India’s pluralism.

BJP Accuses Shah Rukh Khan of Betrayal

The controversy began when BJP leader Sangeet Som, a former MLA from Uttar Pradesh, labeled Shah Rukh Khan a “traitor” for selecting a Bangladeshi player in KKR. Som cited the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, including reports of attacks, rapes, and destruction of homes, as grounds for condemning the actor.

“The way Hindus are being persecuted in Bangladesh, women and girls are being raped, their homes are being burned, and anti-India slogans are being chanted there. Despite all this, traitors like Shah Rukh Khan… invest in players from a country working against India,” Som said, according to ANI.

He went further, warning that Mustafizur Rahman might not be able to step outside the airport in India, asserting that KKR would not succeed in fielding him.

The BJP-aligned Hindu spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur echoed Som’s criticism, labeling Shah Rukh Khan “heartless” and “cruel” for including a Bangladeshi player while Hindus in that country allegedly face brutal attacks. Another religious authority, Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya, went as far as calling the actor’s actions traitorous, questioning his character and moral judgment.

Thakur further demanded that Mustafizur Rahman’s reported remuneration of ₹9.2 crore be redirected to families of Hindus reportedly killed or persecuted in Bangladesh, framing the payment as a symbolic gesture of accountability and remorse.

Congress and Other Spiritual Leaders Step In

In response to the criticism, Congress MP Manickam Tagore strongly condemned the attack on Shah Rukh Khan, framing it as “an attack on India’s pluralism.” He tweeted, “Hate cannot define nationalism. RSS must stop poisoning society,” emphasizing that criticism rooted in religious prejudice threatens India’s diversity and societal harmony.

Another spiritual figure, Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, weighed in differently. While acknowledging the reports of persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, Shastri highlighted that the decision to select Mustafizur Rahman falls under the jurisdiction of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). He stressed that players have a responsibility to speak up for the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh, but the inclusion of a cricketer in a sports team should not be conflated with politics or morality.

Shastri said, “A game is a game; a game has its own rules, and nothing like this applies to the game. But they [Bangladeshi players] should speak up for the nation and society… to ensure that Hindu brothers living there are protected.”

Congress MP Tariq Anwar similarly emphasized that international sporting regulations must be respected. He stated that without permission from the local cricket board, foreign players cannot participate, and that the focus should remain on the legality and international protocols of the IPL rather than political posturing.

Background of Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh

The controversy over Mustafizur Rahman’s inclusion comes amid reports of rising communal violence in Bangladesh. Recent incidents include the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man, over rumors of blasphemy; the killing of Amrit Mondal; and the brutal attack and burning of Khokon Chandra Das, a 50-year-old Hindu businessman, on December 31, 2025, in Shariatpur district.

These incidents have amplified political and religious sensitivities in India, leading some political leaders and spiritual figures to link Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL decisions to broader geopolitical concerns.

Shah Rukh Khan and KKR’s Position

As of now, KKR and Shah Rukh Khan have not publicly commented on the political and religious backlash. Cricketing authorities, including the BCCI, retain the authority to sanction player participation, and international rules govern the eligibility of foreign players in the IPL.

The incident highlights a complex intersection of sports, politics, religion, and nationalism, raising questions about the role of cultural and national identity in entertainment and sports business decisions. While some view the selection of Mustafizur Rahman purely as a cricketing decision, others frame it within the context of ongoing communal tensions in Bangladesh and broader India-Bangladesh relations.

Public Debate and Social Media Reactions

Social media platforms have seen heated debates, with supporters of Shah Rukh Khan emphasizing sportsmanship, talent, and global inclusivity, while critics focus on perceived moral and national obligations. Analysts have noted that such controversies often polarize public opinion, affecting not just sports and entertainment sectors but also the political discourse ahead of key electoral cycles in India.

Conclusion

The KKR-Bangladeshi player controversy has become a flashpoint in Indian political and social debate, attracting responses from parties, spiritual leaders, and citizens alike. While the BJP and certain Hindu spiritual figures have criticized Shah Rukh Khan, Congress leaders and other spiritual authorities defend him, framing the issue as one of pluralism, legality, and international sports norms.

As the IPL season approaches, all eyes are now on BCCI’s decisions, player safety, and how the league navigates these politically sensitive situations, ensuring that cricket continues to be seen as a sporting event rather than a flashpoint for political controversy.

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